Space Exploration Timeline

First Atronomical Observitory

150

The first astronomical Observitory was built by the astronomer Hipparchus.

First Astronomer

165

Claudius Ptolemy was the first person to dedicate their life to astronomy and consider it their career.

First Telescope

Jan 1, 1575

Hans Lippershey created the first telescope.

First Known Mapping of the Stars

Jan 1, 1600

The Chinese are thought to be the first people to successfully map the starts in the 1600's.

Telescope Mastered

Jan 1, 1608

Galileo was the first to master the telescope and create better versions.

New Telescope

Jan 1, 1668

Sir Isaac Newton creates his own version of the telescope,mending brings up new ideas for astronomical exploration.

Creation of the Rocket

Jan 1, 1926

The first propelled rocket as built by Robert Goddard.

First Space Rocket

Jan 1, 1942

The V-2 rocket launched by the Germans was the first rocket to reach space, although it was never recovered.

First Space Shuttle

Jan 1, 1949

The first space shuttle was the "Enterprise", but it never went to space.

First Space Probes Launched

Jan 1, 1950

In 1950, the first space probes were launched.

First Animal in Space

Jul 22, 1957

The Soviet Union launches a dog named Laikia in a space shuttle and dies, although this was expected.

NASA is Formed

Jul 29, 1958

In 1958, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration is created by the U.S. government to from one group where American astronauts, astronomers, etc. could come together as one.

First Man in Space

Apr 12, 1961

Yuri Alekseyevich Alekseyevich was the first man in space. He was launched what by was then the Soviet Union.

First American in Space

May 5, 1961

Alan Shepard was the first American to go to space, he was launched into orbit, his shuttle barely had enough room for one person.

John Glenn is the First Person to Orbit Earth

Feb 20, 1962

Johnn Glenn was launched by the NASA to orbit Earth, and to test some of the effects of space.

First Woman in Space

Jun 16, 1963

Valentina Tereshkova is launched into space in a shuttle by the U.S.S.R.

First Humans on the Moon

Jul 20, 1969

Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrian land on the moon and become the first people to do so.

First TV Satellite

Jul 10, 1972

The first satellite for television is launched.

First Space Station is Launched into Orbit

Apr 19, 1973

The space station "Skylab" is launched into orbit by NASA.

First Spacecraft on Mars

Jul 20, 1976

The unmanned spacecraft "Viking I" lands on Mars for the first time.

First Reusable Space Shuttle is Launched

Apr 12, 1981

The reusable space shuttle "Columbia" is launched by NASA into space.

First Orbital Telescope is Launched

Apr 24, 1990

"Hubble" is launched into orbit and becomes the first orbital telescope.

First Person to Orbit Earth

Oct 6, 1998

John Glenn was the first person to ever successfully complete a full orbit of Earth.

The Universal Space Station is Launched

Nov 20, 2000

A combination of many countries around the world come together to create and launch the ISS into orbit.

"Challenger" Explodes While Launching

Jan 28, 2003

The space shuttle "Challenger" explodes while launching, remains scatter across Louisiana and Texas.

Clear Photos of Mars are Sent to Earth

Sep 28, 2014

The clearest photos ever taken of Mars are sent from the Mars Rover to Earth.

Apollo Photos Revealed

Sep 10, 2015

NASA releases photos of earlier Apollo missions.

NASA Technology

Sep 16, 2015

NASA announces that it would like start up companies to use their patents technology.

Water on Mars Founds

Sep 28, 2015

NASA may have found signs of water on Mars, which could point to the idea that there may have been life on Mars.

Key Discoveries of Pluto's Surface are Made

Oct 6, 2015

NASA announced that they have discovered many new things on Pluto, such as that it has active geology, and weather. These announcements were made by Dr. Alan Stern.